CN112835284A

CN112835284A - Mechanism for adjusting a timepiece bridge

Info

Publication number: CN112835284A
Application number: CN202011337504.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L·凯林
Original assignee: Ita Swiss Watch Manufacturing Co ltd
Current assignee: Ita Swiss Watch Manufacturing Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-25
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2021-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-25
Also published as: JP2021085874A; EP3825783A1; JP7041223B2; US11768466B2; CN112835284B; US20210157270A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanism (10) for adjusting a timepiece bridge (200) fixed to a structure (300), comprising a first part (1) fixed to the structure (300) and a second part (4, 8) fixed to the bridge (200) (coaxial and movable with respect to each other by sliding and/or rotating on a common axis (D10) and returning towards each other by elastic return or clamping means), the first part (1) comprising a first projection (3, 7) facing a second projection (6) comprised by the second part (4, 8), the first projection (3, 7) and the second projection (6) having a variable fit depending on the relative angular position between the first part (1) and the second part (4, 8), each specific relative angular position defining a specific distance between reference surfaces (S1, S2) of the first part (1) and the second part (4, 8).

Description

Mechanism for adjusting a timepiece bridge

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mechanism for adjusting a timepiece bridge fixed to a structure, the adjusting mechanism comprising a first part arranged to be fixed to the structure or the bridge (coaxial and movable relative to each other by sliding along a common axis and/or rotating relative to said axis (which defines an adjusting direction) and returned towards each other by elastic return means or urged towards each other by clamping means) and at least one second part arranged to be fixed to the bridge or respectively to the structure.

The invention also relates to a timepiece oscillator mechanism comprising at least one inertial mass cooperating with elastic return means for maintaining oscillation and defining an oscillation frequency, and comprising at least one such adjustment mechanism for adjusting at least one bridge-carrying means for pivotally guiding said at least one inertial mass.

The invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising at least one such timepiece oscillator mechanism and/or at least one such adjustment mechanism.

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising at least one timepiece movement of this type, and/or at least one timepiece oscillator mechanism of this type, and/or at least one adjusting mechanism of this type.

The present invention relates to the field of geometrical adjustment arrangements for timepiece components whose position determines the timing accuracy of a timepiece.

Background

In watchmaking, adjusting the clearance of a movable part is a constant concern, whereas in a watch, such a part may occupy all positions in the gravitational field.

Adjusting the balance gap is critical to the accuracy of the oscillator.

The balance clearance is traditionally adjusted by bending the balance bridge or by moving the shock absorber, which is difficult to quantify firstly and difficult to reverse secondly in the case of adjustment by deformation.

Another possibility is to integrate one or more adjusting screws under one or more brackets of the swing wheel axle. Although deformation of the bridge is thereby avoided, the exact position is still inconvenient and the play characteristic of the screw must also be taken into account.

Document CH714379A in the name of the calendar (Richemont) describes a set of spring-frame elements comprising: a plate; a bridge; a screw foot mounted on the plate; by means of an intermediate ring which is screw-fitted with this screw foot and has a first locating surface against which the bridge bears; clamping means cooperating with the screw feet and arranged to press the bridge against the support surface in order to connect the bridge to the panel. The first positioning surface is defined by an edge comprised by the intermediate ring, the screw foot comprises a tube extending in the direction of the bridge, and the intermediate ring comprises an axial opening defining a guide surface cooperating with the outer periphery of the clamping device.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention consists in replacing the adjusting screw by a part in the form of an arch having smooth or notched double or even triple steps (for example 2 × 180 ° or 3 × 120 °). The advantage of using a notched step variant is that the number of steps performed can be felt and the degree of alteration of the gap can be quantified. In the case of a smooth variant with a friction function, the angle indicates the movement and alteration of the gap.

The present invention therefore relates to a mechanism for adjusting a timepiece bridge secured to a structure according to claim 1.

The invention also relates to a timepiece movement comprising at least one such timepiece movement and/or at least one such adjustment mechanism.

Drawings

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

figure 1 shows, in a schematic and simplified manner and in plan view, a watch comprising a movement with a balance-spring oscillator, only the balance bridge of which is shown, the movement being fixed at two points at the ends of this bridge to a structure constituted by a watch plate, in which two regulating mechanisms according to the invention are installed;

figure 2 shows, in a schematic and exploded perspective manner, a first variant of such an adjustment mechanism, comprising a first and a second component coaxially mounted and able to move angularly and axially with respect to each other, one component being fixed to the bridge and the other component being fixed to the plate, and vice versa; each of such first and second parts comprises a projection turned towards the other projection of the other part, which projections are not necessarily complementary, and are arranged to adopt a number of combinations of discrete positions with each other, each giving rise to a specific axial distance between the reference surfaces of the stack formed by such first and such second parts, each of the combinations corresponding to a different distance; the figure shows markings made on the outer cylindrical diameter that the various components comprise, numerical markings or otherwise may be added and not shown to avoid burdening the figure; this figure also shows cylindrical guiding of the two parts relative to each other;

figure 3 shows the mechanism of figure 2 in a schematic and front view and shows that this first component comprises, on an annular sector, a first toothed or toothed projection and its cooperation with a second toothed or toothed projection of the second component;

figure 4 shows, in a schematic and perspective manner, a single first component of the mechanism in figure 2; this figure shows that the component comprises toothed serrations having different tooth heights and/or different tooth base heights and/or variable amplitudes and extending between different axial levels; in this particular embodiment, the tooth ridges and tooth bottoms are not radial with respect to the common axis of the two components;

figure 5 shows, in a schematic and exploded perspective view, a second variant of such an adjustment mechanism, comprising a first and a second component coaxially mounted and able to move angularly and axially with respect to each other, one component being fixed to the bridge and the other component being fixed to the plate, and vice versa; this first part and this second part each comprise a projection turned towards another projection on the other part, which projections are arranged to fit into each other by friction, but not necessarily exactly complementary, each relative angular position between the two parts corresponding to a specific axial distance between the reference surfaces of the stack formed by this first part and this second part; here, the projections of the two parts are in the form of very fine pitch spirals, lying on an annular track, each spiral terminating in a straight edge; the figure shows markings formed on the outer cylindrical diameter of each of the components that comprise, numerical markings or otherwise may be added and not shown to avoid burdening the figure; this figure also shows the cylindrical guidance of the two parts relative to each other;

figure 6 shows, in a schematic and front view, the mechanism of figure 5 in a minimum distance position, in which the straight edges of the spiral profiles are in contact;

figure 7 shows, in a schematic and perspective view, a single first component of the mechanism in figure 5, and shows its helical profile, which comprises a friction surface that can be polished with a certain roughness and/or a surface treatment intended to increase friction;

fig. 8 is a block diagram showing a timepiece, in particular a watch, including a movement with a spiral balance oscillator, comprising a balance bridge and two mechanisms for adjusting this bridge with respect to the structure.

Detailed Description

The present invention relates to a mechanism 10 for adjusting a timepiece bridge 200 fixed to a structure 300.

The invention is illustrated in a specific and non-limiting way in the figures, to adjust the bridge 200, which is a wheel-swinging bridge, with respect to the watch plate constituting such a structure 300.

This adjustment mechanism 10 comprises a first part 1 (coaxial and movable with respect to each other by sliding along a common axis D10 and/or rotating with respect to this axis D10 defining an adjustment direction and returning towards each other by elastic return means or urged against each other by clamping means) arranged to be fixed to the structure 300 or to the bridge 200, and at least one second part 4 arranged to be fixed to the bridge 200 or to the structure 300 respectively.

According to the invention, the first component 1 comprises a

first projection

3 or 7 facing a

second projection

6 or 8 on a first annular or circular sector about the axis D10, the second component 4 comprising this

second projection

6 or 8 on a second annular or respectively circular sector about the same axis D10. This

first projection

3 or 7 and this

second projection

6 or 8 have a variable fit according to the relative angular position between the first part 1 and the second part 4. Each specific relative angular position defines a specific distance between a reference surface S1 and a reference surface S2 (perpendicular to axis D10) of the first and

second parts

1 and 4, in the non-limiting case of the figures, reference surfaces S1 and S2 are for example the planar ends of the first and

second parts

1 and 4 opposite each other.

Advantageously, the arrangement of the

first projection

3 or 7 and of the

second projection

6 or 8 is intended to allow a sensitive adjustment by the horological operator who performs the gap adjustment, and to enable it to return backwards, which is not allowed by the usual deformations of the bridge. This sensitive adjustment may be related to jumps, in particular with regard to jumps through notches, or up or down past steps and/or friction.

More specifically, and according to an advantageous embodiment illustrated by the accompanying drawings:

the

first projection

3 or 7 and the

second projection

6 or 8 each comprise a friction surface capable of maintaining a stable relative angular orientation between the first component 1 and the second component 4 when the first component 1 and the second component 4 are pushed towards each other in the infinite possible positions, each relative angular orientation then resulting in a specific distance between the reference surfaces S1 and S2 that is different from the other distances corresponding to the other specific positions. Also more specifically, each relative angular orientation results in a particular distance H between the reference surfaces S1 and S2 that is different from all other distances corresponding to all other particular positions.

Or the

first projection

3 or 7 and the

second projection

6 or 8 are arranged to guide the first component 1 and the second component 4 in an additional relative rotational manner from a limited number of stable equilibrium positions towards stable positions when the first component 1 and the second component 4 are pushed towards each other, each such stable position corresponding to a specific distance between the reference surfaces S1 and S2 of the limited number of possible distances. Also more specifically, each relative angular orientation results in a unique specific distance H between the reference surfaces S1 and S2 that is different from all other distances corresponding to all other specific positions.

With regard to the friction variants, fig. 5 to 7 illustrate the case in which, in the adjustment mechanism 10, the first projection 7 and the second projection 8 each comprise a friction surface capable of maintaining a stable relative angular orientation between the first component 1 and the second component 4 when the first component 1 and the second component 4 are pushed towards each other at an infinite number of possible positions, each relative angular orientation resulting in a distance different from the distance corresponding to the other specific positions.

In these figures 5 to 7, the first part 1 and the second part 4 each comprise a

projection

7, 8 turned towards

another projection

8, 7 on the other part, which projections are arranged to cooperate with each other by friction, but not necessarily exactly complementary. Each relative angular position between the two

parts

1 and 4 corresponds to the axial distance H between the reference surfaces S1, S2, in particular to the stack formed by this first part and this second part. In these figures the

projections

7 and 8 of the two

parts

1 and 4 are in the form of a spiral with a very small pitch on the circular track, each spiral terminating in a

straight edge

91, 92.

Markings

9, 90, 900 are made on the outer cylindrical diameter of each of the parts, possibly with the addition of numerical markings or otherwise, the

markings

90 and 900 corresponding to the positions of the

edges

91 and 92. In this example, there is a cylindrical guide between the two

surfaces

2, 5 of the two

parts

1 and 4 relative to each other.

Several embodiments are possible with variations having discrete locations. The embodiment with notches, serrations or teeth makes it possible to clearly separate the positions to give the watchmaker clear information about the changed position. Advantageously, the

projections

3 and 6 are arranged so as to present a range of a plurality of different distances H, and the

projections

3 and 6 are preferably obtained in increasing order when the relative rotation between the first component 1 and the second component 4 is carried out in a single direction of rotation. Advantageously, at least one

protuberance

3, 6 and more particularly each

protuberance

3, 6 is of the helical step type, wherein the inclined surface enables the step to be changed in both directions of rotation; as in fig. 2 to 4, each step may be substantially flat or hollow, with each level corresponding to a dihedron, ensuring good regulation stability and preventing disturbances under the influence of vibrations or shocks during the service life of the watch. These figures 2 to 4 illustrate a situation in which, in the adjustment mechanism 10, the first projection 3 and the second projection 6 are arranged so as to guide the first part 1 and the second part 4 in an additional relative rotational manner to stable positions of a limited number of stable equilibrium positions when the first part 1 and the second part 4 are pushed towards each other, wherein each stable position corresponds to a single specific distance of the limited number of possible distances between the reference surfaces. These

projections

3 and 6 are not necessarily complementary and are arranged to take with each other a number of combinations of discrete positions, each giving rise to a specific axial distance H between the reference surfaces S1 and S2 of the stack formed by this first part and this second part 4, each of the combinations corresponding to a different distance.

Markings

90, 900 are made on the outer cylindrical diameter that each of the components includes, numerical markings or other markings may also be added. In this example, there is a cylindrical type of guide between the two

surfaces

2, 5 of the two

parts

1 and 4 with respect to each other. Fig. 4 shows at the bottom a first concave edge 33 of a first hollow dihedron corresponding to a first step, the slope giving rise to a high point formed by the convex edge 30, this convex edge 30 constituting the tight point to be crossed when adjusting the change, the second dihedron comprising a second concave edge 35 delimited by two

inclined faces

31 and 32, this second concave edge 35 being at a height different from that of the first concave edge 33, and so on. It will be appreciated that the number of adjustment positions, and in particular the number of settings for each other, may be further increased by the first part 1 and the second part 4 having a different number of edges.

The invention also relates to a timepiece oscillator mechanism 500 comprising at least one inertial mass cooperating with defined elastic return means for maintaining oscillation and oscillation frequency, and comprising at least one such adjustment mechanism 10 for adjusting at least one bridge 200 carrying means for pivotally guiding this at least one inertial mass.

The invention also relates to a timepiece movement 500 comprising at least one such timepiece oscillator mechanism 100, and/or at least one such adjustment mechanism 10.

The invention also relates to a timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, comprising at least one such timepiece movement 500, and/or at least one such timepiece oscillator mechanism 100, and/or at least one such adjusting mechanism 10.

The invention has the advantage of simple mechanical clearance adjustment.

The arrangement peculiar to the invention makes it possible to control the geometry of the support (in particular the tourbillon) and to keep the balance parallel to the plate. For simple adjustment of the clearance, it is necessary to dimension the system so that the balance staff is subjected to little constraint by the stones and springs of the shock absorber. By successively angularly moving one of the two parts (the other being fixed to the plate or bridge), the balance will move immediately after the gap has occurred.

Claims

1. Mechanism (10) for adjusting a timepiece bridge (200) fixed to a structure (300), the adjusting mechanism (10) comprising, coaxially and movable with respect to each other by sliding along a common axis (D10) and/or rotating with respect to the axis (D10) defining an adjustment direction, and returning towards each other by elastic return means or pushing against each other by clamping means, a first part (1) arranged to be fixed to the structure (300) or to the bridge (200) and at least one second part (4, 8) arranged to be fixed to the bridge (200) or respectively to the structure (300), wherein the first part (1) comprises a first projection (3, 7) facing a second projection (6) on a first annular or circular sector around the axis (D10), the second part (4, 8) comprises the second projection on a second annular or respectively circular sector around the axis (D10) (6) -the first projection (3, 7) and the second projection (6) have a variable fit depending on the relative angular position between the first component (1) and the second component (4, 8), each of said specific relative angular positions defining a specific distance H between reference surfaces (S1, S2) perpendicular to the axis (D10) of the first component (1) and the second component (4, 8), characterized in that the first projection (3, 7) and the second projection (6) are arranged to guide the first component (1) and the second component (4, 8) in an additional relative rotation towards stable positions in a limited number of stable equilibrium positions when the first component (1) and the second component (4, 8) are pushed towards each other, and in that each of said stable positions corresponds to a position in the reference surface (S1, s2) is determined to be a particular distance among a limited number of possible distances.

2. The adjustment mechanism (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that each relative angular orientation results in a unique specific distance H between the reference surfaces (S1, S2) that is different from all other distances corresponding to all other specific positions.

3. The adjustment mechanism (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first protrusion (3, 7) and the second protrusion (6) each comprise a friction surface capable of maintaining a stable relative angular orientation between the first part (1) and the second part (4, 8) when the first part (1) and the second part (4, 8) are pushed towards each other.

4. Timepiece oscillator mechanism (100) comprising at least one inertial mass cooperating with elastic return means for maintaining oscillation and oscillation frequency definition, and comprising at least one adjustment mechanism (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 for adjusting at least one bridge-carrying means for pivotally guiding said at least one inertial mass.

5. Timepiece movement (500) comprising at least one timepiece oscillator mechanism (100) according to claim 4 and/or at least one adjusting mechanism (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. Timepiece (1000) comprising at least one timepiece movement (500) according to claim 5, and/or at least one timepiece oscillator mechanism (100) according to claim 4, and/or at least one adjusting mechanism (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The timepiece (1000) of claim 6, characterised in that the timepiece (1000) is a watch.